Populations

What is the best source of data for finding populations of UK
Towns and Cities?

Due to the widespread interest in information about towns and cities, and for
comparisons between urban populations and with those living outside towns, the
government at each census, produces reports giving key statistics for built-up areas (referred to as localities in Scotland and settlements in Northern Ireland). These separate the populations of towns and cities from
the populations of the area controlled by the local councils bearing their names and
also gives population figures for towns which don't have councils with the same name.

The populations of local councils are published in separate reports which
give key statistics for local authorities (referred to as council areas in
Scotland and local government districts in Northern Ireland). The figures from the 2011 have now been published and are reported below.

Is the Population of a Town the same as the Population
controlled by its Council?

No, the population of a town is not same as the population of its council. E.g. Leeds had
a
town (built-up) population of about 475,000 in 2011 but the Leeds Council area also includes the Yorkshire countryside
and smaller towns around it, and
controls a population of 750,000. On the other hand the town (built-up)
population of Leicester was about 445,000 in 2011 but Leicester Council only controls about
330,000 people as a large part of the city is controlled by surrounding Councils.

The Councils Table 3 below shows the
differences that can exist between the population of a town and the population
of the council with the same name at the 2011 Census.

The Councils Table 4 shows the
differences that can exist between the area of a town and the area
governed by the council with the same name at the 2011 Census.

Additionally some well-known towns don't even
have a council with the same name and therefore would not be acknowledged in a
list of populations which only showed council populations such as Huddersfield, Birkenhead and Gillingham.

How can a town's population boost civic pride?

A large population gives the citizens of a town the satisfaction of saying
they live in a "big" city, but even having a small population can be a
reason for being proud. For example, St. David's with about 1400 residents is
the smallest town with city status in the UK and hence claims the title of the
"UK's smallest city".

The size of the population can also decide the ranking given to a city. The
best example of this is the fact that both Birmingham and Manchester claim
to be Britain's second city, but in population terms Birmingham has the stronger
case by having over twice the population of it's rival.

Another source of pride is when individuals making up the population go on to
become nationally and internationally famous and bring prestige to their home
town. Some are subsequently honoured by being given the freedom of their town or
city for their achievements.

The following tables have been created using availabale data from the 2011 Census.